I am counting down my personal list of the top 25 Pirate prospects. You can follow the countdown here, or by clicking on the “Top 25 Prospects” link in the site header.
Date of Birth: 2/12/1989
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 180 pounds
Bats/Throws: L/L
Position: P
Signed: 2007 (El Salvador)
Nelson Pereira made his first appearance in the United States in 2008, pitching very well in Bradenton after two solid seasons in the Venezuelan Summer League. The 19-year-old struck out 46, walked ten and allowed only three home runs in 50 innings. He made six starts out of his 13 appearances. Pereira is part of a rare breed – actual Latin American prospects signed during the Dave Littlefield era. He is obviously a long way from PNC Park, but his numbers have been exceptional thus far. With the Pirates’ farm system being so thin on pitching prospects, Pereira could jump up on this list over the next couple years.
Expected arrival in Pittsburgh: 2013
